Taking a look at recent, positive, uplifting, news stories and yarns, from New Zealand and all around the world, to bring a smile and a bit of cheer.
Haka world record claimed at huge event at Eden Park
Last weekend over 6,500 people took part in a mass haka that brought the Guinesss World Record to New Zealand. Whilst the previous record was held by France, the event organised at Eden Park was a huge event with bands, dancers, speakers and singers, and surpassed the French effort by many thousands.
Visiting American talk show host, Conan O’Brien, a first time visitor to our shores, got a rather impressive taste of all things Kiwi as he himself took part in the haka after a few hasty lessons beforehand.
“Talking to RNZ on Sunday, O’Brien said he was moved when he saw the crowd at Eden Park. ‘To see this many people come together and be unified is such a beautiful thing. Everyone here is so filled with the spirit,“ he told RNZ. It’s moving. I wasn’t expecting it to be as moving as it was. It’s my first time here, and to go from zero to a million like this.'” (Source: “Conan O’Brien says haka record at Eden Park was his welcome to NZ,” by Sanda Arambepola, 30th September, www.stuff.co.nz).
5 stars – I watched a good deal of the event and it was incredibly moving and also amazing to see so many people pouring into Eden Park to contribute.
One time star of the seas could end up as artificial reef
After years berthed at a pier in Philadelphia, the SS United States may end up as an artificial reef in Florida. Rusting and neglected, the ship is a sad shadow of what it once was. In 1952 it broke the record for the fastest trans-Atlantic crossing and was acclaimed for its luxury and comfort.
After being ordered to vacate its current berth, options other than scrapping have been proffered and sinking her in the Gulf of Mexico would please both environmentalists and divers alike.
“The solution: sink it on purpose and create what supporters hope will be a barnacle-encrusted star in Okaloosa County’s constellation of more than 500 artificial reefs, making it a signature diving attraction that could generate millions of dollars a year in local tourism spending for scuba shops, charter fishing boats and hotels.
“‘To have an opportunity to have the SS United States right here by our shore is a heritage and a legacy that is generational,’ said Okaloosa County Commissioner Mel Ponder. ‘I’m very excited for not only what it does for the diving community, but also the fishing community, but the community at large.'” (Source: “Historic ship could soon become the world’s largest artificial reef,” by Kate Payne, 2nd October, www.stuff.co.nz).
5 stars – turning her into an artificial reef would be a great ending for an iconic and revered ocean liner.
App started up by tradie sold for huge money to UK firm
Former Auckland electrician, Curtis Bailey stands to make a good chunk of change as the app he started has sold to a firm in the United Kingdom. In 2010, Bailey, working as an electrician in Auckland, launched Tradify, an app to help tradies organise and manage jobs.
Fourteen years later, the app is being sold for a figure reputed to be a little over $100 million, meaning Bailey’s 9% ownership will realise a hefty payday.
“In 2021, Tradify raised $10m at a $55m valuation in a Series A round led by local venture capital outfit Movac, with support from existing investors Sir Stephen Tindall (through his K1W1 vehicle) and Icehouse Ventures. Icehouse Ventures chief executive Robbie Paul said today the deal was set to deliver the largest cash return in his firm’s history. “The returns will pay off the majority of the 2016 Seed Fund [an $11m fund].” Paul earlier told the Herald that Tradify was one of the firm’s top-performing investments in its Growth Fund 1, a more recent investment fund that includes a $2.9m stake in Tradify.” (Source: “Former sparkie in for $9m+ payday as his Tradify app sells to UK firm for $100m+,” by Cris Keall, 2nd October, www.nzherald.co.nz).